William Merritt Chase & James McNeill Whistler, Pt. 1

"Whistler Monocle, Left Eye, Head Tilted"
by Mortimer Menpes

"William Merritt Chase had been given a letter of introduction to James Abbott McNeill Whistler, and their rocky relationship was about to begin, for there were two distinct sides to this famous artist, each one of which he made famous. He succeeded as few ever have in creating two distinct and striking personalities, almost as unlike as the storied Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. One was Whistler in public - the fop, the cynic, the brilliant, flippant, vain, and careless idler."

"He had prepared his outward blandishments with the skill and patience of an accomplished actor. For hour he had stood before a mirror, with curling irons in hand, training carefully his hair, in particular that famous white lock, fussing and primping like a woman. He was putting on his mask. Very few who knew him only in public ever saw behind it."

"The other was Whistler of the studio - the earnest, tireless, sombre worker, a very slave to his art, a bitter foe to all pretense and sham, an embodiment of simplicity almost to the point of diffidence, an incarnation of earnestness and sincerity of purpose."

"The real, genuine Whistler had been at work since early morning, working like a fiend - and, in truth, looking like a fiend as he worked. The monocle of the night before had been laid aside for an unsightly pair of iron spectacles, so heavy that they were clumsily wrapped with cloth where they rested on his nose. His hair was uncombed. He was carelessly dressed."

"Some student admirers from Venice called at the studio one day and found the real Whistler at work. They had seen him previously on the piazza, carefully groomed for the occasion. Now they stood speechless with surprise. At length their spokesman exclaimed artlessly, 'Why, Mr. Whistler, whatever has happened to you!' 'What do you mean?' he demanded. 'You - you seem so different,' said the young man. 'Oh,' said Whistler, 'I leave all gimcracks outside the door.'"

gim·crack
ˈjimˌkrak/
adjective
adjective: gimcrack
    1.    1. 
flimsy or poorly made but deceptively attractive.





To be continued

(Excerpts from "The Life and Art of William Merritt Chase" by Katharine Metcalf Roof.)